Background & Aims
Celiac disease (CeD) is a prevalent autoimmune condition. Recurrent signs and symptoms are common despite treatment with a gluten free diet (GFD), yet no approved or proven non-dietary treatment is available.
Methods
In this multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we assessed larazotide acetate 0.5, 1, or 2 mg three times daily to relieve ongoing symptoms in 342 adults with CeD who had been on a GFD for ≥12 months and maintained their current GFD during the study. The study included a 4-week placebo run-in, 12-week treatment, and 4-week placebo run-out phase. The primary endpoint was the difference in average on-treatment Celiac Disease Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale score (CeD-GSRS).
Results
The primary endpoint was met at the 0.5 mg dose of larazotide acetate with fewer symptoms compared with placebo by Modified Intention to Treat (n=340) (ANCOVA p=0.022, MMRM p=0.005). The 0.5mg dose showed effect on exploratory endpoints including, 26% decrease in Celiac Disease Patient Reported Outcome Symptomatic Days (p=0.017); 31% increase in Improved Symptom Days (p=0.034); ≥50% reduction from baseline of weekly average Abdominal Pain Score for ≥6 out of 12 weeks of treatment (p=0.022); and a decrease in Non-GI symptoms of headache and tiredness (p=0.010). The 1 and 2 mg doses were no different than placebo for any endpoint. Safety was comparable to placebo.
Conclusions
Larazotide acetate 0.5 mg reduced signs and symptoms in CeD patients on a GFD better than a GFD alone. While results were mixed, this study represents the first successful trial of a novel therapeutic agent targeting Tight Junction regulation in patients with CeD who are symptomatic despite a GFD. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01396213